Employees across Andhra Pradesh are intensifying protests against the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government over unfulfilled promises, pending financial benefits, wage revision, job security, regularisation and increased workload. Regular employees, contract and outsourcing staff, teachers, health workers, Anganwadis, ASHAs, municipal workers and grassroots functionaries have taken to the streets over the past several months.
Government employees are demanding implementation of the PRC, release of pending DAs and clearance of financial dues estimated by employee associations at more than Rs. 40,000 crore. Village and Ward Secretariat employees recently staged a major Chalo Vijayawada protest seeking notional increments and relief from excessive workload. The agitation witnessed police action, arrests and cases against employees and union leaders.
Municipal workers, cooperative bank employees, Tribal Gurukul outsourcing teachers, Community Health Officers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, Health Department contract employees, MGNREGS Field Assistants and in-service teachers have also launched separate agitations over their respective demands.
Over Rs. 40,000 Cr in pending benefits
Employee associations state that Andhra Pradesh has around 5.6 lakh regular government employees, including Village and Ward Secretariat staff, nearly 2 lakh contract and outsourcing employees and more than 3.4 lakh pensioners. Based on an average financial loss of Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 5.5 lakh per regular employee, the amount affecting employees crosses Rs. 30,000 crore. Pensioners account for another Rs. 10,000 crore. The total pending financial burden on employee and pensioner families is therefore estimated at more than Rs. 40,000 crore. For an employee with ten years of service, basic pay of Rs. 51,140 and 12 per cent HRA, the estimated loss over two years is Rs. 5,15,460. Five pending DAs account for Rs. 1,10,480. The absence of Interim Relief for 24 months is calculated at Rs. 3,27,013, while two pending Earned Leave surrender bills account for Rs. 77,967. Promotion increments, special pay and AAS increments are not included in this calculation.
Municipal Workers Demand Job Security
On July 8, municipal workers staged a major protest at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada demanding job security and a minimum monthly wage of Rs. 26,000. They opposed the decision to abolish the APCOS system and demanded that municipal services should not be handed over to private players. They also sought welfare benefits for workers.
Cooperative Bank Employees Seek Wage Revision
On July 23, District Central Cooperative Bank officers protested in Vijayawada demanding immediate implementation of wage revision for eligible officers working in the State’s 13 District Central Cooperative Banks. They demanded that senior officers should not be denied revised wages and sought fair implementation of wage benefits.
Tribal Gurukul Teachers Protest Job Losses
On the same day, Tribal Gurukul outsourcing teachers staged a protest before the Tribal Welfare Commissioner’s office in Vijayawada opposing removal from service. They demanded job security, reinstatement of terminated teachers and implementation of the assurance that employment would be provided to all eligible workers.
Government Employees Demand PRC and Dues
On September 1, government employees held demonstrations at Collectorates across the State and submitted notices demanding payment of pending financial benefits. Their demands included appointment of the PRC Commission, 30 per cent Interim Relief, release of five pending DAs and payment of nearly Rs. 40,000 crore in dues, including surrender leave and retirement benefits.
Anganwadi Workers Intensify Agitation
Anganwadi workers organised Chalo Vijayawada on March 4 demanding higher wages and resolution of workload-related problems. They sought implementation of the election promise on wage enhancement. On July 11, Anganwadi workers and helpers again protested at Collectorates across the State demanding a minimum wage of Rs. 26,000, job security, ESI, gratuity, PF and pension benefits. They also sought payment of pending wages and bills and withdrawal of the face-recognition attendance system.
Health Workers Seek Incentives and Security
Community Health Officers protested at Dharna Chowk on March 24 against night-time facial-recognition attendance. They demanded payment of incentives without deductions, release of pending dues, restoration of PF, job security and regularisation. They also sought advance rent payments for Village Clinics functioning in rented buildings. ASHA workers protested on March 6 demanding a Rs. 26,000 minimum wage, job security, reduced workload, leave facilities, PF, ESI, maternity leave, retirement benefits and filling of vacant posts.
Teachers Seek TET Exemption
On September 4, in-service teachers moved towards Vidya Bhavan near Mangalagiri demanding exemption from TET. They sought amendment of Section 23(1) of the Right to Education Act and an Assembly resolution requesting the Centre to exempt existing teachers. They also demanded that, if TET is conducted, it should be offline and limited to the subject being taught.
Secretariat Employees’ Chalo Vijayawada
Village and Ward Secretariat employees staged a large protest in Vijayawada on September 28 demanding settlement of PRC-related issues, pending DAs, financial dues, notional increments and service-related grievances.
Thousands of employees reached Vijayawada despite restrictions. Police force was deployed, protesters were detained and lathi-charge was used during the confrontation. Employees demanded an end to threats and detentions and sought direct discussions with employee associations. Employees and leaders active in the agitation subsequently faced cases and further action.
Health Contract Staff announce Strike
On October 6, Health Department contract employees staged dharnas across the State and announced strike action. They demanded regularisation of eligible employees and, until then, restoration of full gross salary including pay, DA and HRA. They also sought paid sick leave, EHS cards, transfer opportunities, Rs. 15 lakh compensation to families of employees who die while in service and a government job for one dependent.
MGNREGS Field Assistants Join Protests
MGNREGS Field Assistants staged a major dharna at the Panchayat Raj Commissioner’s office in Tadepalli on October 6. They demanded minimum wages, job security, an end to removals on political grounds and abolition of the man-days system. They also demanded FTE status for those completing three years of service, promotions based on qualification and service, and provision for internal transfers at the Mandal level. Across categories, the central demands remain pending financial benefits, wage revision, job security, regularisation, reduced workload and implementation of assurances made to employees.
